A deadly winter-like storm already blamed for eight deaths continued its trek east through the Southwest on Sunday, disrupting hundreds of flights in a possible preview of Thanksgiving travel hassles.
Meanwhile, an arctic air mass brought freezing temperatures to much of the Northeast and the upper Midwest in what the National Weather Service called the coldest weather of the season.
The wintry system slushed through New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas on Sunday, dumping heavy snow over several areas in New Mexico and sleet that forced the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to "pre-cancel" about 300 flights.
"This is more of a January, February-type weather event," National Weather Service meteorologist Dennis Cain told the Los Angeles Times, adding, "It's not rare, but it's not very common either."Fortunately for Texans, Cain said, temperatures have remained above freezing as the area braces for a band of icy weather early Monday. "By Thursday, we should have quite a bit of sunshine," he said. "Should be no problem for people going to grandma's house for Thanksgiving."
Comment: Can you see the normalcy bias in action? People are just walking about as usual, using umbrellas to shield against the rocks/ash as though the danger is and will remain benign.